E3 2013: Cops Called to Shut Down Ouya

The Entertainment Software Association, the company which owns and operates the E3 Expo, called the Los Angeles Police Department today in an attempt to shut down Ouya’s public presence at E3 2013.

Julie Uhrman, founder of the Ouya console, informed IGN that the police visit was just another event in an ongoing conflict with the ESA. Ouya had their console on display in a lot across the street from the Los Angeles Convention Center, which is the home of E3. But at 9am this morning, the ESA rented out the spaces in front of Ouya’s display and parked semi-trucks in them in what Uhrman felt was an attempt to block people from noticing Ouya’s presence.

Well this is awkward.

In response, the Ouya team rented the spots in front of the ESA’s trucks and used the spaces to display various Ouya banners. After this action, Uhrman claims that the ESA called the police. Soon after, the LAPD showed up at the lot and asked to see the company’s permits. After determining that everything was in order, the cops ultimately left without taking any further action.

Urhman feels that Ouya is being unfairly targeted due to its decision to go around the ESA and attend E3 on its own terms. Uhrman and the rest of the Ouya team intend to tackle the second day of E3 2013 by increasing their street team presence. She also reached out to the ESA in an attempt to resolve the dispute, but has yet to hear back. When asked how she’ll react if the ESA continues putting pressure on Ouya, Uhrman responded, “If ten more trucks show up, we’ll come up with another idea. I have a few up my sleeve.”